Anonymous
11/04/2013 14:46
Subject: How much sq footage for family of 5?
Has to do with temperament and priorities. We live outside the Beltway (close-in Potomac) and house is 3400/sq feet. 2 adults, toddler and infant. Feels perfect. Key is attic/garage for storage.
Anonymous
11/04/2013 14:42
Subject: How much sq footage for family of 5?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:4100 for 4 people
I would need 5000 with 5.
let me guess, you live in a macmansion in the way outer burbs? It's a tradeoff. I'm happy with my row house and my 15 minute (on foot) commute.
I live in Toronto.
Anonymous
11/04/2013 14:40
Subject: How much sq footage for family of 5?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:800 to 1000 per person
That is ridiculous. Most families of 4 who live in the district and have purchased homes between $800 and $1M live in very nice SFHs in Upper NW that have about 2000 finished sq ft. I know very few that have homes in the 3000 sq ft range and up.
This seems insane to me too. But it shows that this has a lot to do with your temperemant and expectations. As a single person, I happily lived in a 300 square foot studio for years. If I was still singleI'd still be there.
I'm hoping that my 1500 square foot house will work for my family of five forever, though I think it's possible that we may need to upsize to 2000-2500 square feet at some point. Can't imagine ever wanting or needing more than that though.
same here - lived in 1600 TH for a while, was quite happy with layout, but lack of storage space pushing us out. All those bikes, skis, camping stuff for the family of 5 etc. just take to much space
So, we're moving to 2700 house with huge basement for storage, but twins will still share bedroom and all 3 boys I have will use 1 bath.
Anonymous
11/04/2013 14:33
Subject: How much sq footage for family of 5?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:800 to 1000 per person
That is ridiculous. Most families of 4 who live in the district and have purchased homes between $800 and $1M live in very nice SFHs in Upper NW that have about 2000 finished sq ft. I know very few that have homes in the 3000 sq ft range and up.
This seems insane to me too. But it shows that this has a lot to do with your temperemant and expectations. As a single person, I happily lived in a 300 square foot studio for years. If I was still singleI'd still be there.
I'm hoping that my 1500 square foot house will work for my family of five forever, though I think it's possible that we may need to upsize to 2000-2500 square feet at some point. Can't imagine ever wanting or needing more than that though.
Anonymous
11/04/2013 14:31
Subject: How much sq footage for family of 5?
We look at it as bedrooms per person....5 people, you need at least 5 bedrooms. That allows for guests, illness solitary confinement, snoring-fests, etc. We have 7 bedrooms, use almost all of them. 1 is an office w a bed.
Anonymous
11/04/2013 14:31
Subject: How much sq footage for family of 5?
We are in the same position and are looking at 4000-5000 sq ft. Outside the beltway because I want the land size that comes with that as well.
Anonymous
11/04/2013 14:30
Subject: How much sq footage for family of 5?
Anonymous wrote:800 to 1000 per person
That is ridiculous. Most families of 4 who live in the district and have purchased homes between $800 and $1M live in very nice SFHs in Upper NW that have about 2000 finished sq ft. I know very few that have homes in the 3000 sq ft range and up.
Anonymous
11/04/2013 14:28
Subject: How much sq footage for family of 5?
We have 5 people in 1500 s.f. (though one has left for college and is only home part of the year). We never left our starter house because the neighborhood has ideal amenities for us and we will use the $$$ home equity to help fund our retirement. Now that the kids are moving out, or close to it, it's getting bigger 
Anonymous
11/04/2013 14:28
Subject: How much sq footage for family of 5?
Anonymous wrote:4100 for 4 people
I would need 5000 with 5.
let me guess, you live in a macmansion in the way outer burbs? It's a tradeoff. I'm happy with my row house and my 15 minute (on foot) commute.
Anonymous
11/04/2013 14:27
Subject: How much sq footage for family of 5?
Anonymous wrote:4100 for 4 people
I would need 5000 with 5.
That's crazy! We live in 1300 sq ft with 4 people, no problem. The number of bedrooms/bathrooms, the layout of the house and how you plan to use it (eg do you need a guest room? or a home office?) are more important than the number.
Anonymous
11/04/2013 14:26
Subject: How much sq footage for family of 5?
Anonymous wrote:800 to 1000 per person
+1
Anonymous
11/04/2013 14:23
Subject: How much sq footage for family of 5?
800 to 1000 per person
Anonymous
11/04/2013 14:09
Subject: How much sq footage for family of 5?
4100 for 4 people
I would need 5000 with 5.
I would need 5000 with 5.
Anonymous
11/04/2013 14:08
Subject: How much sq footage for family of 5?
1800 sq foot is the smallest I would go (we have 3 dc also), and it would have to be really well laid-out with good unfinished storage (garage, basement, or attic).
Anonymous
11/04/2013 13:59
Subject: How much sq footage for family of 5?
How did you decide on what size home would work for your family of 5? Our three kids are small (twin 4 yr old boys, 1 yr daughter). We are upgrading now from a townhouse and making the decision between smaller SFH inside beltway and bigger SFH outside beltway. I know the trade-offs on location, but mostly curious how people estimated what size would work for their growing family in the future.